Cranes (simplified Chinese: 鹤; traditional Chinese: 鶴; pinyin: Hè) are an important motif in Chinese mythology. There are various myths involving cranes, and in Chinese mythology cranes are generally symbolically connected with the idea of longevity.[1]: 86–87 [2][3] In China, the crane mythology is associated with the divine bird worship in the animal totemism; cranes have a spiritual meaning where they are a form of divine bird which travels between heaven and man's world.[3] Cranes regularly appear in Chinese arts such as paintings, tapestry, and decorative arts; they are also often depicted carrying the souls of the deceased to heaven.[2] The crane is the second most important bird after the fenghuang, the symbol of the empress, in China.[4]: 108
The motifs of cranes may vary in a range from reference to real cranes (such as the red-crowned crane) referring to transformed Taoist immortals (xian), who sometimes were said to have magical abilities to transform into cranes in order to fly on various journeys.[citation needed] When a taoist priest dies, it is referred as yuhua (羽化; lit. "turning into a feathered (Crane)").[1]: 86–87
Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China. The geographic area of "China" is of course a concept which has evolved of changed through history. Chinese mythology include myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese as well as other minority ethnic groups.[5]: 4
According to some Chinese legends, there are 4 kinds of cranes which differ in colours: white, yellow, blue, and black.[4]: 108 The black crane is believed to have lived for centuries.[4]: 108 According to Chinese legends, at the age of 1000, a crane would turn grey and after another 1000 years, the crane would turn dark; thus being termed as "the mysterious crane".[3] According to some legends, a black crane no longer eats food and only drinks water when it turns 600 years old.[4]: 108
According to a Chinese legend, Tseng sang (a disciple of Confucius) spared the life of a wounded crane which then flew away but later came back to Tseng sang with its mate; both of them were carrying a pearl in their mouth which was then bestowed to Tseng sang.[6]
As souls traditionally ride on a crane to go to the Western Heaven; crane illustrations with spread wings can appear in Chinese funeral material culture (e.g. on coffins or a banner in funeral processions).[4]: 108 In the Western Han dynasty silk painting, cranes are depicted standing beside Nüwa.[3]
According to a popular story, one day, Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight immortals) drank in a wine shop and instead of paying, he drew 2 dancing cranes on the wall of the inn. The wall painting became famous attracting more customers; however, when the debt was paid, the cranes detached themselves from the wall and flew away.[1]: 206
A crane which is used as a form of immortal ride is called an immortal crane.[7]
In the Shiyiji, Immortals often go to Mount Kunlun to play by riding on dragons and cranes.[5]: 162
The Eight immortals are sometimes depicted in pictures greeting the god of longevity, Shouxing (壽星), who is flying past on a crane through auspicious clouds.[1]: 180, 201
According to Taoist legends, Laozi rode a crane after achieving immortality and cranes stand beside his statues.[3] Some taoist robes are also referred as crane robes (hechang, 鶴氅).[3]
Xiwangmu is also often depicted riding a white crane.[4]: 108
In ancient Chinese legends, the crane shows the elegance of the immortals, which included the meaning of elegance, moral integrity and the personal dignity of the immortals.[8] The crane is often praised in classical Chinese literature and is perceived as elegant and graceful, and when a crane spreads its wings, it reflects an outstanding temperament.[8]
Cranes are one of the symbols of longevity in Chinese culture; as such, they are often depicted together with a pine tree or a stone, or together with a tortoise or a deer.[1]: 86–87 [4]: 108 It is also customary for Chinese people to give the picture of a crane to elderly people on their birthdays as it symbolizes good health and longevity.[7]
Pine trees and cranes together are symbols of longevity[3] and also symbolize the last years of a long life.[1]: 292 When flying cranes are combined with growing pines, the symbol of longevity is intensified.[1]: 183
According to Chinese beliefs, the combination of a tortoise and crane is associated with longevity.[7] Like the crane, the tortoise is also one of the symbols of longevity in Chinese culture.[7]
Crane and Tortoise, from the Mausoleum of Han Emperor Jingdi, Han dynasty.
The combination of a crane with peaches is one of the Chinese symbols of longevity,[9] due to their associations with immortals (i.e. they were used as conveyance for immortals[10]).[11] Both of them are symbols of longevity in Chinese mythology.[1]: 86–87 Immortals are often depicted on the back of cranes while mythical peaches are believed to grow in the orchard of Xiwangmu; therefore the combination of peaches and immortals evoke penglai, which is an isle for immortals.[11]
Cranes were depicted on the mandarin square of the Ming and Qing dynasties' court robes.[8] In the Ming dynasty, the first class civil official would wear a buzi with a fairy crane (Chinese: 仙鹤; pinyin: xiānhè).[8] The crane mandarin square when combined in a crane, water, clouds, and blue sky design reflects the emphasis on the wisdom and talent of the Chinese Imperial court's civil officials.[8]
Rank badge with crane, early Qing dynasty, late 17th–early 18th century.
Rank badge with crane, late Qing dynasty, 19th century.
The illustrations of two cranes flying up towards the sun is used to express the wishes that the recipient of the illustration may 'rise high'.[1]: 86–87
Relationship between people
[edit]Snow Plums and Twin Cranes, early Ming dynasty (1368–1644).
When a crane is depicted with a fenghuang, mandarin duck, heron and a wagtail, this represents the Confucianist concepts of the five relationship between people (五伦).[1]: 86–87 In this particular combination, the crane symbolizes the relationship between father and son.[1]: 86–87
Depictions of cranes in pairs were also associated with elderly couples as white feathers give the impression of the white hair of an elderly.[10]
The Japanese accepted the concept that the crane represented longevity when Chinese culture gradually influenced Japanese culture; the Japanese then gradually modified into becoming a symbol of joy.[6] Since the 9th century, cranes are considered a symbol of happiness and the combination of a crane and tortoise is used in marriage ceremonies to represent both happiness and longevity.[6]
